As time passes, the initial coronavirus lockdown sinks further and further into the past. It’s tempting to try to forget about it and start fresh.

But we all have individual and collective traumas to continue processing as well as things we’ve learned about ourselves that we can integrate into our new lives moving forward. Those who do this healing work will have better skills for self-care when new challenges come along, and we’ll feel a deeper sense of peace.

This episode includes some reflections on what I’ve personally learned about myself and what I’m trying to do differently now, and it ends with an inspirational poem that illustrates this kind of self-discovery and personal growth. 

Highlights

Introduction and reflection

• :41 - 5:41 Reflect with me on two years of lockdown and isolation 
• 5:45 - 6:40 Think about it: what did you learn about yourself?

Insights from my pandemic experience

• 6:40 My anxiety drives controlling behaviors and puts others on edge
• 7:17 My pet peeves about others often reflect my own unwanted behaviors
• 7:45 Busy-ness is addictive
• 8:24 Accommodating others is exhausting, but being creative makes me feel present and alive
• 9:48 Setting boundaries is hard, but the freedom is so worth it
• I may be a loner, but I still need my sister friends

Moving forward

• Making smaller changes is more sustainable and makes for better results
• My new perspective on setting boundaries
• Inspirational poem on learning and growing after bad experiences: “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk”
• Poem reflection and takeaways: our expectations for personal growth versus the actual healing process

If this conversation has brought you to an insight, a story, a sense of relief, please email me at [email protected] and let me know.

Take care,

Lisa

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Insideout Conversations is edited by The Creative Impostor Studios.

Theme music is by Nicholas77 at freesound.org and is licensed under the Creative Commons.

Learn more about Lisa and her clinical practice, Insideout Living: https://www.insideoutrecovery.com/